Air bag, module and method of folding a side air bag or cushion

摘要

A method of folding an air bag, the air bag having facing first or upper and second or lower panels that are joined together, a portion of each panel cooperating to form a neck or inlet which is adapted to receive an inflator, the method comprising the steps of:a) arranging the first and second panels to be generally flat on a work surface with the a first panel overlaying a second panel;b) defining a first fold or tuck line that extends across the first panel;c) forming a double tuck in both the first and second panel, the first tuck located on a preferred portion of the first and second panels generally at the first tuck line and the second tucks generally located near the bottom of the air bag; the tucking of the panels lowering the height of the air bag in relation to its laid-out configuration in step a as well is its relating to the first tuck line;d) reducing the width of that portion of the air bag that extends from the second tuck to the top of the air bag;e) folding or rolling the reduced width portion toward the first fold line, the folding forming a fabric roll, the fabric roll after the rolling or folding of this step being positioned generally in line with the first fold line;f) manipulating the fabric roll so that lies generally parallel to the inflator and generally positioned between the tucks formed in the panels as a result of step c;g) reducing a first dimension of the partially folded air bag, the first dimension measured from the location of the inflator to an opposing side of the partially folded air bag.h) folding over a portion of the air bag to reduce a second dimension of the air bag measured from the inflator to a side opposite the inflator to obtain a generally trapezoidal configuration for the folded air bag.